Nando's Peri-Peri Flies Into Towson Square

A new chicken spot opens as part of Towson's big boom.

On Wednesday, Nando’s Peri-Peri, the South African-Portuguese restaurant known for its mouthwatering flame-grilled chicken, opens in Towson Square, the new $85 million-dollar entertainment and restaurant complex.

The fast-casual chicken joint (named for a type of chili pepper that indigenous Africans introduced to the Portuguese many centuries ago) got its start in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa and is now in two dozen countries across five continents.

In the United States, Nando’s first opened in Washington, D.C., and has expanded into the Baltimore market with an outlet in the downtown district and new venues planned for Harbor East and Laurel.

In addition to offering chicken that’s been marinated for 24 hours, the menu features wings, wraps, salads, and sides, including Portuguese rice and flame-grilled corn on the cob.

To add to the mix, the drink list includes Portuguese beers, South African wines, and sangria.